Simple Trapping Sets Beaver Foothold

[@johnc2825]

This video is super helpful for me as a brand new guy getting into trapping. Great to know you don’t have to always use drowning rigs to be successful with footholds, because I wasn’t planning to run drowning rigs. Thanks for the great content!

[@rangerreno1249]

I love it. Great job. I was looking for a perspective that didn’t require me to haul multiple 50lb weights all through the swamp. Thank You.

[@etiennescarbinski7890]

Nice, used a version of this with 2 conibears on each end of a deeper channel, worked like a champ....thanks for the awesome vids

[@michaelluck8652]

I want to thank you for your very informative videos, I will inculcate this set into my line tomorrow morning. Having just started my own you tube channel I can really appreciate the effort you put into this site. Thank you sir.

[@Meattrapper]

Thanks for the kind words. Good luck with the set - it really works; and good luck with your channel. It really is a lot of work, and all I ask is that people click on some of the ads every once in a while. It doesn't cost anything for somebody to watch an ad - and every little bit helps out these days. I just subbed your channel. The bee keeping is something I'm curious about - and like your beaver vids!

[@contreeman]

i trapped 2 years back in my teens i am now in my fifties also and times are getting tough. i had a very wise man teach me to trap. you remind me of him. i have a doz #2 conibears in the closet if need be i will never go hungry. thanks for keeping trapping alive. GOD BLESS

[@Meattrapper]

Thank you sir - and keep those traps handy!

[@contreeman]

USED 55 DOLLARS ON EBAY 2 YEARS AGO FREE SHIPPING DON'T THINK I DID TOO BAD

[@lutherhitt7430]

Wish that I had 1/3 of your trapping knowledge and half of your stamina. Excellent video Bulldog

[@Meattrapper]

Thank you sir. I have to admit, now that I'm in my mid 50's - each year get's tougher and tougher. We never know how many days we have left on the good earth, and I'm trying to share what I know. Every year the mud gets deeper, the water colder and the beaver heavier to carry - but I take pride in still being able to put meat on the table by my own hand. Take care and thank you for watching.

[@nielsonnc]

I love this setup! The foothold is the best because you can catch the same beaver in the same season just flip lures if it slows down. Also I love the explanation as to why you rotate the trap to suitcase his foot...that lesson cost me lots of fur at first. Very good video...and very clear principles. Thanks for this!

[@nielsonnc]

+Nicole Nielson I do like it on a drowner more tho just in case I have a front foot it just kills them quick and they don't ring off under water nearly as much. Thanks again

[@Meattrapper]

+Nicole Nielson Yep - suitcasing the foot is important - the smaller the trap used the more important it becomes.

[@Larry342516]

I agree with you that sometimes certain trappers get a little carried away as you said. Gotta have a certain slope, and a heavy weight way out in the pond to drown the animal. More work than needs to be done. Your knowledge makes it look very simple. Thank you for the video.

[@Meattrapper]

Thank you for watching!

[@colesimo217]

Never have I ever seen someone catch a beaver in a foothold and not drown it. Kind of a trip to watch

[@theamerican7131]

Great set. Thanks, for sharing.

[@contreeman]

where were you and you tube 30 years ago when i was running 36count trap line every morning before school LOL. great video brother

[@Meattrapper]

Funny how years ago nobody would share info on trapping and everybody wanted to do it - and now there are hundreds of hours of free information on trapping - and nobody is interested anymore. Take my friend. My hope is that one day kids will once again be able to run a few traps before school. What a great time and a great way to grow up that was! Read a story about a young trapper boy many years ago that ran his line before school and caught a skunk. He decided school was no fun so he put the skunk into the heater unit and ran everybody out of school for the day so he could finish running his line! :)

[@contreeman]

wonder who that was?

[@alanbowman5343]

This set where I live would be illegal. It would need to be set up with a drowning line. It’s vary helpful tho. I was contemplating doing a foot hood set because of the drowning wire law. Maybe just use some 330s. You got me thinking maybe I should try both sets and see what happens! Nice set.

[@REAPERMILITIAOUTDOORS]

Nice catch 👍.

[@alexbraswell3221]

How do you pull your anchors out after you have set them?

[@ToddWittenmyerBackwoodsLiving]

Like the set and I'm about sold on the TS-85's. I know there about a 30 dollar trap, but you need that 81/2" jaw spread for the beavs. I think I'll get a couple after this season ends and give 'em a try. Take care!

[@Meattrapper]

I really like them. I think they are easier to set than an MB-750 and bigger. They are kind of a slow firing trap - but in the mud and water when a beaver is blundering around - speed isn't that important. Also, since they are only two coiled, if you get snapped it doesn't bite nearly as bad as a four coil.

[@crawwwfishh3284]

Hello. Using #2 duke traps . What is the cheapest and fastest way to make a drowner . Trying to get rid of beavers flooding bottom land. Was told if caught by back foot they will tear loose without drowning.

[@Bearsfan871]

was the trap on the shallow end hitting its stomach you think? I was told you want the trap 8 inches deep water so that they don't hit it with their stomach. Or do you think the beaver would walk through that shallow part? Thanks

[@Meattrapper]

That's the question, and given fluctuating water levels and different sized beavers its always a guessing game. My thought at the time was that the bvr would be walking, but you never know.

[@Bearsfan871]

@@Meattrapper Thank you! I have never set a beaver trap in my life, trying to learn as much as I can before setting one. I appreciate your channel, it is helping me out tremendously!

[@Meattrapper]

@@Bearsfan871 You can do it - and when you do you will be hooked! Keep me posted.

[@Bearsfan871]

@@Meattrapper I wish someone would do a video purely on sign of where they have been. I have lived in NE missouri all my life and there are always downed trees on side of river, but recognizing dens or feed piles is another thing. Hard to know what i'm looking at ,you know?

[@Tom-io5os]

How do you get the anchor out of the ground or do you leave it?

[@Meattrapper]

Pull straight up. If it sticks, leave it.

[@rangerreno1249]

I made 2 dam break sets with footholds and the next day each trap was tripped and filled with grass and mud. Suggestions on what I need to do differently?

[@Meattrapper]

Usually that means the beaver is pushing mud up from the bottom to plug the break and is covering and tripping the traps - very frustrating. Try making the cut deep, narrow and with enough water flowing that they cannot use mud but must bring sticks - then make sure your traps are about elbow deep in water and give them a nice firm bed to stand on where the traps are.

[@a234633]

If meat is the reason one traps are footholds cable restraints the way to go or just check snares and conibears religiously?

[@Meattrapper]

I like snares for meat trapping as they keep the beaver alive till I get there. If I use a conibear, I want to make sure the bvr rolls into the water and that the water is good and cold - and preferably in the shade. Basically if you kill the animal - make sure it stays cool - not gets hot - and check as soon as possible every morning.

[@a234633]

@@Meattrapper thanks so much for the reply I appreciate your time and wisdom

[@nono3143]

you do not need it to be a drowner set to hold them then?!? what is the smallest size trap one can use? why such a long chain?

[@deniswarburton9362]

What are your beavers preference for food down there, here in northern Ontario its poplar Thanks so much for your videos

[@Meattrapper]

Chinese privet is huge, then maple and other woods.

[@outdoordad-xh5xd]

I do ALOT of beaver trapping in Alaska, recently purchased a few of the TS-85's, and noticed in your video that you didn't level the pans after setting them. Have you noticed much with "that" particular trap, opposed to other types, if the pan is level or not when trapping?

[@meattrapper692]

Good eye. I normally do level the pans somewhat on these, but in my experience it's not nearly as critical with beaver in water as when trapping on dry ground. The trap in the slide was very badly out of level and I think that's why he set it off with his belly. That particular trap was bent up when a guy stole it and pulled it out of the ground with a chain tied to his four wheeler. After I got the trap back, I had to re work it and but in a new bolt, etc. and being late in the season I just went with it rather than spend time to work on it - and you see where it got me - a miss. If I had taken the time to get that trap right I might not have had a miss. There are no shortcuts. Hope that helps explain things. Thanks for watching. I'd love to visit Alaska one day - it's on my bucket list.

[@outdoordad-xh5xd]

Alaska is a BEAUTIFUL place to visit both winter and summer. The winters seem to last FOREVER (if there is snow). It doesn't usually leave until April/May, and the muskrat and beaver seasons in some areas go until those months. I really miss the outdoors in the lower states...seems like the majority of videos are during decent weather (light or no snow, and flowing water). Been meaning to visit as MANY states as possible to hunt and trap in, just need to make the time. Wish you well, and keep stacking fur.

[@Joe_Goofball]

What kind of a knife is that? Brand and model, if you can...

[@Meattrapper]

That is a Norwegian bill hook, imported by Kellam Knives many, many years ago.

[@ketchumdan9095]

Cool set. I bet if you put the stakes as far away from each other as possible you could get doubles.

[@Meattrapper]

+KetchumDan Yep - good point - could also use slide wires to slide each trap straight away from each other.

[@CountyLineAdventures]

Great video of the lesser used option of not drowning them! This is my first year trapping and the method I use, but everyone else likes to say you must drown them. 🦫🦫🦫

[@necrophagus9]

what method do you use to dispatch?

[@Meattrapper]

22 lr pistol.

[@serna4771266]

good video =D

[@Meattrapper]

Thank you for watching sir.